Removing a truck canopy, solo, in under 30 minutes?

So... I've owned several pickups, all with canopy/shell/cap/toppers (etc), but I also use the empty pickup bed to haul crap...(dirt, bark, compost, trash, furniture, etc). Hence I want to remove the canopy in the morning (*daybreak), but after I'm done (hours or days) the canopy needs to go back on the truck.

My goal is to remove the canopy, by myself (solo) in less than 30 minutes; and put it on later, also less than 30 minutes. The below pictures are how I currently do it; which is cumbersome and exceeds my time limit. On my other trucks, with cheaper canopies, and lower-ceilings, it was simpler/easier; by using 3/4" rope and cinching it up just enough to drive out.

Next-Idea: I'm currently considering putting threaded inserts externally to the canopy, where I could screw in eye-bolts, then use an electric hoist to lift the canopy. Thinking threaded inserts would need big fender-washers on the inside to keep the fiberglass from bending/tearing. FYI, the canopy is less than 200 lbs total, but bulky.

Question: For those who remove canopies, how do you do it? Or how would you do it?

Any ideas/comments/pictures would be nice.

 

Haven’t personally done this, but thought about it sometimes.

Definitely need to get some rails on the top of the canopy. That jacking and lifting frame is clunky. Consider metal barstock instead of fender washers inside of you DIY it, can use epoxy to get a good connection to transfer the load through the fiberglass.

Harbor freight has some fairly cheap electric hoists. I would still secure with other fixed ropes once lifted.

I haven’t run the calculations so personally I’m uncomfortable running straight into 4 screws in the rafters. Once you start doing side pulls and other redirection of the load depending on how the hoist is connected, things can get a bit sketchy. I would grab some 12ga channel strut and lag screw 2 sections into several of the rafters. Bonus lots of goodies made to work with channel strut.

 

I have the accessory tracks on mine, with Yakima bars. Throw two slings around and lift by those, then drive out and set it down on a cart. Wouldn’t leave it slung by the tracks but it’s fine for the five minutes it’s hanging.

 

I have considered lifting by the Yakima bars, but was a little worried since the screws holding it are pretty small. I like the idea of adding some metal under them.

For hanging, I have 2x4s spanning across a couple of joists with large eye bolts extending to below the ceiling.

 

https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f51/camper-shell-lift-system-45315.html

This is what I used on my ol’ 1st gen



I hooked it up to my battery powered drill and it’s super easy and fast

 

https://www.smarterhome.com/products/truck-top-lifter

Been considering this for taking the tent in and off. Used to use the Harken lift set up but the hard shell tent is too heavy for it.

 

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Sorry, I was away last week & flaked out.

Thank you for the great idea!
It looks like yours & most replies suggested getting rails on the top of the canopy. I never considered rails, but that might be the best idea, and I really like the mention of metal barstock on the inside. I wasn’t too keen on my side mount idea, but was over-fixated on them. For the ceiling I will probably go with a "purchased" frame or 2x6’s on the ceiling (across the rafters) to attach pulleys. Current chains are bolted into doubled-up 2x6 roof-joists, but these swing back/forth too much. I already dented the cab once. Thanks!

 

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Sorry, I was away last week & flaked out.
Agree. I think the accessory tracks are the way to go. Once I lift it up, I can use cargo straps to hold it.
Thanks!

 

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Sorry, I was away last week & flaked out.
Agree, I think the accessory tracks are the way to go. I also was worried about the attaching hardware, as tracks are probably not meant for lifting, but for side loads and diagonal loads. I think metal barstock on the inside would help. Thanks!

 

I added a picture from the website...



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Sorry, I was away last week & flaked out.
I love that frame!!! And the battery power drill is a great idea, over the long crank-arm in the pictures. Looked online & it seems from a couple sources, its no longer available; but will keep looking.
Thanks!

 

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Sorry, I was away last week & flaked out.

The Harken lift is a consideration. I like the pulley hoist they have on the ceiling; it would help with 150 lbs cap. A single point would be a huge improvement over the method I do now…
But the website you mention was…an app that lifts the cap!. That is awesome. I don’t think I would ever buy it, but that has got to be the most impressive method I’ve ever seen. I used use a 1” rope with a adjustable hitch knot and cardboard scraps under the cap to slide the rope under the canopy/cap, which is pretty much the polar-opposite in technology.




This gave me the best confidence, that roof tracks can be used to lift the canopy/cap.

Thanks!

 

Hey guys! Figured I'd chime in on this subject as I might have a good alternative. I've recently created a way to take any camper, rtt or fiberglass shell off by yourself in minutes...anywhere. Let me know what you think and if this can help solve the problem of taking your tops off Check out www.rapidtopper.com

 

Very nice!
I really like those "Rapid Lifts". One of my (many) problems I have is the lip around the outside of the canopy. It looks nice...but makes it difficult to lift/support the canopy. These Rapid-Lifts seem to give you enough lift to get something under, with the benefit of being perma-installed. Safe & quick! Nice design.

 

What camper or shell do you have?

 

I have a 6 foot Leer 100R (and) its only 162 lbs per my bathroom scale.

But I really like (what seems like) the worm gear your team is using. Ingenious, never considered that.

My project has stalled, but I'm heading towards mounting two L-tracks (aircraft seat track) on the roof & attach stud-rings to lift off the canopy. Then, I was considering heavy-duty, adjustable draw-latches (inside) to hold down the canopy. Add an overhead hoist with carabiners to snap onto the stud-rings & lift it off. In theory, with zero tools required, it would come off as fast a I can lift the draw-latches & snap on the carabiners. . But that's big talk from someone who not doin' anything. .

Meanwhile your design IS released & available .